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The biggest yachting news stories of May 2025

29 May 2025 • Written by Dea Jusufi

Unsurprisingly, the Bayesian saga dominated this month's news cycle. Several crucial updates hit the headlines in May, from the tragic death of a specialist diver to the release of an interim safety report that cited "safety vulnerabilities" on board the Perini Navi sailing yacht.

The legal wranglings surrounding Loon and the shocking capsize of a Lamborghini yacht in Miami followed close behind, though the industry also celebrated two key Feadship launches and the grand reveal of a superyacht designed by Italian luxury fashion house Giorgio Armani.

BOAT rounds up everything you might have missed...

1. First piece of Bayesian wreckage raised, interim safety report suggests "safety vulnerability", and more

This month saw several pivotal Bayesian updates, including the tragic death of a specialist diver, the removal of the first piece of wreckage and the release of an interim safety report, which hypothesised that the owner and crew were unaware of a crucial safety vulnerability on board.

BOAT has followed the story from 19 August 2024, when the 56-metre sailing yacht was hit by bad weather and sank off the coast of Sicily. Find the full breadth of reporting in the live blog below.

2. Court date set for former Loon captain following St Barths tender crash

A court date was set for the former captain and crew of the 67.5-metre Icon superyacht Loon, who are embroiled in a legal dispute following an injurious tender crash in St Barths (24 December).

Earlier this month, Captain Paul Clarke filed to dismiss the negligence complaint raised against him by his two former crew members, who claimed that he had "abandoned the helm" of the superyacht's tender and caused injury to six of the 11 American nationals on board.

3. Tecnomar Lamborghini 63 sport yacht sinks in Miami Beach

This month, a Tecnomar Lamborghini 63 sport yacht named TNT sank off the coast of Miami Beach, Florida.

The incident occurred near Monument Island, an artificial landmark frequented by tourists, with over 30 people evacuated and transported to a nearby marina.

4. Feadship launches 100m superyacht Project 824

The 100-metre superyacht known as Project 824 was launched from Feadship's facility in Kaag, the Netherlands.

While details on the project remain sparse, Jarkko Jämsen has now been revealed as her exterior designer. This comes as no surprise, as Project 824's plumb bow, low profile and contemporary curves share notable similarities to fellow Feadship build, the 77.3-metre 818.

5. 80m "zero-emission" Feadship explorer yacht Valor launched

Dutch yard Feadship also launched the 79.5-metre Project 715 from its Aalsmeer site. Christened Valor, she marks the yard's latest entry into the explorer yacht genre, joining the likes of Shinkai and Moonshadow.

The steel-hulled, high-volume yacht was built for a repeat Feadship client and is equipped with a two-metre ice belt above and below the waterline for transiting the Northwest Passage.

6. First 72m Giorgio Armani-designed Admiral superyacht launched

Italian yard Admiral launched the first superyacht in an exclusive, two-unit series designed by Giorgio Armani.

The luxury fashion designer is responsible for her satin-gold profile and geometric lines, culminating in "suspended terrace[s]" on her upper decks which host an open-air lounge and a helicopter landing area.

7. Oyster Yachts reveals 24m "superyacht-inspired" sailing yacht model

British brand Oyster Yachts expanded its portfolio with a 24-metre sailing yacht model known as the Oyster 805.

A bluewater cruiser, the Oyster 805 is the smaller sibling to the Oyster 885 (at 27.4 metres) and is said to be "superyacht-inspired" in its level of customisation. Highlights include a flexible owner's area and a sunken tender well that can be transformed into an impromptu lounge.

8. New footage reveals moment of Titan sub implosion amid US Coast Guard investigation

This month, BBC’s new documentary Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster offered unprecedented footage from Titan’s support ship, capturing the moment the sub imploded during its fatal June 2023 dive.

The video, recently obtained by the US Coast Guard (USCG), was presented as evidence to the USCG Marine Board of Investigation, which has spent the last two years examining the sub’s catastrophic failure.

9. First AB 130 yacht model with 40+ knot speeds delivered

Italian yard AB Yachts announced the delivery of the first unit in its AB 130 series, named Effe.

The 39.7-metre model has a sporty, slender exterior befitting her impressive top speed of 40-plus knots, supported by waterjet propulsion. But an "extendable" beach area at the stern is what sets Effe apart from others in her size bracket.

10. 80m custom Damen Yachting support yacht U-81 sold

The 80.1-metre custom Damen Yachting support vessel U-81 was sold off-market, with Charles Carveles from Edmiston representing the buyer and Tim Vickers from Burgess representing the seller. The yacht has since been renamed Wingman, which might offer a clue as to the identity of her new owner.